2026 State Salary Guide
Plumber Salary in Massachusetts 2026:
$76,800 Average ($36.92/hr)
Updated 17 April 2026
Massachusetts plumbers earn $13,830 above the national median of $62,970. Here is the full breakdown by metro, experience level, and licensing.
Massachusetts Median
$76,800/yr
Hourly Rate
$36.92/hr
vs National
+$13,830
Top 10% Earn
$114,400+
Where Massachusetts Ranks Nationally
National Rank (Raw Pay)
#3
of 50 states
Cost of Living Index
131
100 = national average
COL-Adjusted Salary
$58,626
purchasing power equiv.
Plumber Pay by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Wages vary significantly within the state. Major metros with strong union presence tend to pay the most.
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Boston Metro | $86,800 |
| Worcester Metro | $72,400 |
| Springfield Metro | $68,800 |
| Barnstable (Cape Cod) | $70,200 |
| Lowell-Billerica | $78,600 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024 Metropolitan Area data. Figures are estimates based on available MSA data.
Pay by Experience Level in Massachusetts
Career stage matters more than any other factor except geography. Here is what each level earns in Massachusetts.
| Career Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $22 - $30/hr | $46,000 - $62,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $32 - $42/hr | $67,000 - $87,000 |
| Journeyman | $40 - $55/hr | $83,000 - $114,000 |
| Master Plumber (Employee) | $50 - $65/hr | $104,000 - $135,000 |
| Self-Employed Owner | $110 - $210/hr billed | $100,000 - $275,000 net |
Massachusetts Plumbing License Requirements
To work legally as a plumber in Massachusetts, you must hold the appropriate state license. Here is what is required.
Licensing Authority
Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation - Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
Journeyman Requirement
4 years OJT as apprentice
Master Plumber Requirement
3 years as journeyman
Reciprocity
No - Massachusetts does not have reciprocity
Exam Fee
$200 exam fee
Full 50-state licensing matrix: plumbing license requirements by state.
Union Plumbers in Massachusetts
UA Local 12 (Boston - one of the strongest Locals in the Northeast), UA Local 138 (Springfield). ~45% of plumbers in Massachusetts are union.
Union plumbers in Massachusetts typically earn 25 to 40 percent more in total compensation (base wages plus health insurance, pension, and annuity) compared to non-union plumbers at the same experience level. See the full comparison at union vs non-union plumber pay.
Job Outlook in Massachusetts
Massachusetts, particularly the Boston metro, is one of the highest-paying plumbing markets in the country. The large healthcare construction pipeline (hospitals, biotech labs), university expansion, and life sciences facilities in the Cambridge-Boston corridor drive strong commercial plumbing demand. UA Local 12 is one of the highest-paid plumbers locals in the Northeast.
Biggest Employers in Massachusetts
- +Suffolk Construction
- +Consigli Construction
- +Turner Construction Boston
- +Shawmut Design and Construction
- +Skanska Boston